LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session March 7, 1997 TO: Honorable Clyde Alexander, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 1524 Committee on Transportation By: Siebert House Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1524 ( Relating to the weight of vehicles transporting recyclable materials.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1524-As Introduced Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net impact of $0 to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium ending August 31, 1999. Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend Chapter 622 of the Transportation Code to add Subchapter J, which would set axle-load restrictions for vehicles transporting recyclable materials and prohibit certain vehicles on interstate highways unless federal weight limits were increased. Methodolgy The Department of Transportation estimates assume that by not specifying an axle spacing and by removing the current roll-off restriction, it would greatly increase the number and types of vehicles that can carry recyclable materials to include dump trucks. TxDot estimates that due to the increased numbers of vehicles and the weight of the vehicles on the bridges, on and off the state system, damage to the bridges would also increase. The increased damage would come from the weight of the vehicles exceeding the design and construction standards of the bridges. The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Five Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from State Highway Fund 0006 1998 ($1,122,107) 1998 (1,122,107) 2000 (1,122,107) 2001 (1,122,107) 2002 (1,122,107) Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds: The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds during each of the first five years is estimated as follows: Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative) General Revenue Related Funds Funds 1998 $0 1999 0 2000 0 2001 0 2002 0 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts 601 Department of Transportation LBB Staff: JK ,PE ,ML